GREENSBORO, N.C. - Brandon Connette can't help but be amused by the reaction he gets when he enters a football game for Duke.

Not from the fans, but from the opposing team.

"Every play I'm in the game everyone on defense is yelling `18 is in the game, 18 is in the game, he's running the ball, he's running the ball,'" Connette said. "This past Saturday (against Virginia) when I went in, everyone was pointing at me. I just kind of laughed at what was happening. I just think it's kind of funny that teams pay attention to it that much."

Teams are paying attention because Connette has developed into a real threat. He's the "running quarterback" who typically replaces Sean Renfree on third-and-short yardage and on downs close to the goal line.

Virginia may have known when he was in the game but it couldn't do much to stop him. Connette had the best game of his young college career, carrying 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns to help the Blue Devils win 55-48.